Work and Game Table
Needle Case
Design Representation
Design Details
Needle Case Type: |
Figural |
Patent/Registered to: |
W. Avery & Son - Redditch |
Patent/Design Representation #: |
Ornamental Class1: Metal: #302243 |
Patent/Design Registration Date: |
August 2, 1876 |
Location of Patent/Design Registration: |
The National Archives (TNA) - Kew, UK |
Reference #: |
TNA Representation - BT 43/40/302243
TNA Register - BT 44/3/302243 |
Dimensions: |
6.3 x 4 x 5.5 |
Material: |
Brass |
Name Variations: |
a) W. Avery & Son - Redditch
b) W. Whiteley - Westbourne Grove
c) Unmarked (the sole source of this information is Horowitz and Mann as no example of this needle case
with this company name has been seen by the authors of this website) |
Other Variations: |
None |
Additional Photographs
Front clasp and hinge sides
Side view and side detail
Top closed and open
Interior and bottom
Bottom Avery signature detail and Whiteley signature detail (photo courtesy of Lynda Herrod)
Facts
Game tables come in several different varieties. The traditional game table is a small table used for playing board games such as chess,
checkers, Parcheesi or backgammon. They are usually made of wood with sturdy legs and a smooth flat top, often inlaid with different woods to
recreate the game board. Many contain a drawer or cabinet where the game pieces can be stored. However, in a casino environment, game
tables are designed for multiple players of games like poker, craps or roulette.
History
Traditional game tables originated in the 16th and 17th centuries and were only found in the homes of the wealthy. During the Victorian
era they became more popular as the rising middle class had more time for leisure activities and entertaining guests was an important part of 19th
century society. As a result “parlor” games were created to allow men and women to amuse themselves at small parties held in the parlor since
it was the best room in the house!
Miscellaneous
Most modern game tables are found in the casino cities of Las Vegas, Nevada, Macau, China and Monte Carlo, Monaco. Although Las Vegas was
founded in 1905, it wasn’t until 1931 that gambling was legalized in the state. After World War II luxury hotels and casinos were built there
giving the city the reputation as one of the top entertainment and gambling centers in the world. Today many of the casinos are modeled after
famous buildings; Luxor has the shape of an Egyptian pyramid, Caesars Palace has a coliseum which seats 4,296 and Paris Las Vegas contains a half
scale replica of the original Eiffel Tower and a two-third scale reproduction of the Arc de Triomphe.
